Coco Gauff, in Jessica Pegula's absence, partners with Katerina Siniakova for French Open 2024 doubles
Coco Gauff has forged a new partnership with Czech star Katerina Siniakova to compete in the doubles category at the 2024 French Open. This partnership occurred after Gauff's regular doubles partner, Jessica Pegula, withdrew from the tournament.
Pegula has been out of action since her neck injury in early April, following her semifinal exit at the 2024 Charleston Open. The American has been in recovery mode ever since and withdrew from Roland Garros to attain full fitness. This ended her streak of 19 consecutive Grand Slam appearances.
Pegula and Gauff reached the doubles semifinals at last year's edition of the tournament. The former's withdrawal meant that her regular doubles partner, Coco Gauff, had to find a new companion to play doubles with in Paris.
The draw for the 2024 French Open doubles was recently announced, and it was revealed that Gauff has paired up with Katerina Siniakova, a two-time former doubles champion at the Claycourt Slam, to compete this year. They are seeded No. 5 and will face Anna Danilina and Xu Yifan in the opening round on May 29.
Katerina Siniakova also sought a doubles partner to compete in the Grand Slam tournament. After a successful union with Barbora Krejcikova over the years, Siniakova paired up with Storm Hunter earlier in 2024. Siniakova-Hunter won the WTA 1000 title at Dubai Tennis Championships and were runners-up at Indian Wells Open.
Unfortunately, Hunter ruptured her Achilles tendon in April and has been out of action. In the meantime, Siniakova played doubles at the Italian Open with Taylor Townsend. In another unlucky series of events, Townsend also suffered an injury at the Morocco Open, a week before the French Open. This led to Siniakova linking with Gauff for the first time in their careers.
Coco Gauff faces Julia Avdeeva in 1R, Katerina Siniakova up against Chloe Paquet in 2R at French Open
Coco Gauff and Katerina Siniakova are also competing in the singles category at the 2024 French Open. In fact, both players are seeded in the singles main draw. Gauff is the fifth seed and will face Russian qualifier Julia Avdeeva in her opening-round contest on May 27.
Katerina Siniakova is the No. 32 seed in singles and has already played her first-round match on May 26. The Czech went toe-to-toe with Hungarian lucky loser Dalma Galfi and emerged victorious 7-5, 7-6 (3). She will next face local player Chloe Paquet in the second round on May 29.
Coco Gauff is coming into the year's second slam after a semifinal finish at the Italian Open. Meanwhile, Siniakova played at the WTA 500 Strasbourg Open, a week before Roland Garros, and reached the second round.